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Brussels attacks: airport suicide bomber el-Bakraoui 'caught in Turkey last June' – live Brussels attacks: airport suicide bomber el-Bakraoui 'caught in Turkey last June' – live
(35 minutes later)
1.01am GMT
01:01
Many of Thursday’s newspaper front pages are still focused on Brussels: the mourning and the questions that have followed revelations about the identities of some of the bombers.
Le Soir, Belgium
Edition spéciale @lesoir ce jeudi sur les attentats de Bruxelles https://t.co/5txp2EhknI pic.twitter.com/RkCO8AWZw5
PZC, Netherlands
En zo ziet de voorpagina van donderdag 24 maart eruit: pic.twitter.com/SJvsmRpw19
International New York Times
Thursday's International NY Times:Belgium on high alert and in mourning#tomorrowspaperstoday #bbcpapers pic.twitter.com/2N14y24dRG
The Guardian
Thursday's Guardian front page:Brussels killers linked to Paris terror attacks#tomorrowspaperstoday #bbcpapers pic.twitter.com/Asn2ahWQac
12.47am GMT
00:47
The UK’s Daily Telegraph reports that Belgium was ordered to “overhaul” its border force just three weeks ago because guards were failing to check arrivals from high-risk countries against the EU’s counter-terrorism database.
The Telegraph says the European Council gave Belgium “an extensive list of recommendations” on 29 February to address its “deficient” border security:
At Brussels Charleroi airport, which runs budget flights to Algeria, Tunisia and Turkey, untrained border officers were deployed to check passports, and mandatory daily briefings on new security threats did not take place.
The report says that Belgium must “ensure that only the officers who passed the basic border guard training are deployed to perform border checks”.
The full article is here.
12.33am GMT12.33am GMT
00:3300:33
Paul KarpPaul Karp
Belgium’s ambassador to Australia has rejected claims by the prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, that Europe’s security is weak, and said blaming the Syrian refugee crisis for terrorism in Europe was dangerous.Belgium’s ambassador to Australia has rejected claims by the prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, that Europe’s security is weak, and said blaming the Syrian refugee crisis for terrorism in Europe was dangerous.
On Wednesday the prime minister said “early signs” indicated the Brussels attacks had been inspired or planned by Islamic State in Syria:On Wednesday the prime minister said “early signs” indicated the Brussels attacks had been inspired or planned by Islamic State in Syria:
Recent intelligence indicates that Isil is using the [Syrian] refugee crisis to send operatives into Europe.Recent intelligence indicates that Isil is using the [Syrian] refugee crisis to send operatives into Europe.
But Belgium’s ambassador to Australia, Jean-Luc Bodon, said the statement wasBut Belgium’s ambassador to Australia, Jean-Luc Bodon, said the statement was
dangerous because it’s precisely what Isis wants – that we would make a confusion between terrorism and migration and between terrorism and Islam.dangerous because it’s precisely what Isis wants – that we would make a confusion between terrorism and migration and between terrorism and Islam.
He said the Belgian prime minister had asked people “not to blame one community because this is the worst thing that we could do and this is the most counterproductive”.He said the Belgian prime minister had asked people “not to blame one community because this is the worst thing that we could do and this is the most counterproductive”.
Turnbull said Australia’s security was stronger than that in Europe because the country has “strong border protection”, with fewer porous borders, and “a much greater insight into people who we would regard as being threats or likely to pose a risk to safety of Australians”.Turnbull said Australia’s security was stronger than that in Europe because the country has “strong border protection”, with fewer porous borders, and “a much greater insight into people who we would regard as being threats or likely to pose a risk to safety of Australians”.
He said there had been a “real breakdown in intelligence” in Europe:He said there had been a “real breakdown in intelligence” in Europe:
If you can’t control your borders, you don’t know who’s coming or going. Regrettably they allowed things to slip and that weakness in European security is not unrelated to the problems they’ve been having in recent times.If you can’t control your borders, you don’t know who’s coming or going. Regrettably they allowed things to slip and that weakness in European security is not unrelated to the problems they’ve been having in recent times.
Bodon said such a claim was “really unfair”:Bodon said such a claim was “really unfair”:
You have had attacks in most countries … in the USA, in Europe, they’ve taken place in Paris … in London, in Madrid, in Rome – even in Russia and nobody thinks that Russian intelligence and security services are weak.You have had attacks in most countries … in the USA, in Europe, they’ve taken place in Paris … in London, in Madrid, in Rome – even in Russia and nobody thinks that Russian intelligence and security services are weak.
12.13am GMT12.13am GMT
00:1300:13
What we know so farWhat we know so far
Claire PhippsClaire Phipps
A quick round-up of what we know and don’t know about developments in Brussels:A quick round-up of what we know and don’t know about developments in Brussels:
Related: Brussels suicide bombers identified as police hunt suspect caught on CCTVRelated: Brussels suicide bombers identified as police hunt suspect caught on CCTV
Related: Agonising wait for news of missing loved ones after Brussels attacksRelated: Agonising wait for news of missing loved ones after Brussels attacks
This is Claire Phipps now picking up the blog again from Ben Quinn.This is Claire Phipps now picking up the blog again from Ben Quinn.
11.50pm GMT11.50pm GMT
23:5023:50
One of France’s best known ‘public intellectuals,’ Bernard-Henri Lévy, has been sharing his thoughts on the Brussels attacks, and concludes that “Europe is now in a state of emergency”One of France’s best known ‘public intellectuals,’ Bernard-Henri Lévy, has been sharing his thoughts on the Brussels attacks, and concludes that “Europe is now in a state of emergency”
“What happened in Brussels presented a new scale,” he told BBC Newsnight a little earlier, suggesting that that ISIS could only be defeated through concerted military action to destroy its training camps. Here’s a snatch of what he said:“What happened in Brussels presented a new scale,” he told BBC Newsnight a little earlier, suggesting that that ISIS could only be defeated through concerted military action to destroy its training camps. Here’s a snatch of what he said:
"Europe is now in a state of emergency... it is not only war, it is general war": Bernard-Henri Lévy aka @BHL https://t.co/uKLciHFMbd"Europe is now in a state of emergency... it is not only war, it is general war": Bernard-Henri Lévy aka @BHL https://t.co/uKLciHFMbd
11.35pm GMT11.35pm GMT
23:3523:35
Wembley Stadium’s arch has been lit up in the colours of the Belgian flag as England’s Football Association paid its respects to the victims of the Brussels bombings.Wembley Stadium’s arch has been lit up in the colours of the Belgian flag as England’s Football Association paid its respects to the victims of the Brussels bombings.
The 315-metre long arch, which can be seen for miles across London, was lit in red, yellow and black from 6pm on Wednesday.The 315-metre long arch, which can be seen for miles across London, was lit in red, yellow and black from 6pm on Wednesday.
The statement of solidarity brought back memories of November’s terrorist attacks in Paris when Wembley was one of several London buildings to be decorated with the French tricolore.The statement of solidarity brought back memories of November’s terrorist attacks in Paris when Wembley was one of several London buildings to be decorated with the French tricolore.
11.29pm GMT11.29pm GMT
23:2923:29
A man who sparked an outcry on Twitter after tweeting about confronting a Muslim woman on a street in south London and challenging her to “explain Brussels” has been arrested by police.A man who sparked an outcry on Twitter after tweeting about confronting a Muslim woman on a street in south London and challenging her to “explain Brussels” has been arrested by police.
London’s Metropolitan police confirmed that a 46-year-old man had been arrested on Wednesday evening in Croydon on suspicion of inciting racial hatred via social media.London’s Metropolitan police confirmed that a 46-year-old man had been arrested on Wednesday evening in Croydon on suspicion of inciting racial hatred via social media.
He is understood to be Matthew Doyle, a partner at a south London-based talent & PR agency, who tweeted earlier in the day: “I confronted a Muslim women [sic] yesterday in croydon. I asked her to explain Brussels. She said “Nothing to do with me” a mealy mouthed reply.”He is understood to be Matthew Doyle, a partner at a south London-based talent & PR agency, who tweeted earlier in the day: “I confronted a Muslim women [sic] yesterday in croydon. I asked her to explain Brussels. She said “Nothing to do with me” a mealy mouthed reply.”
The comments, which followed Tuesday’s bomb attacks at Brussels airport and on the city’s metro system, were later deleted but sparked a furious response from other users of Twitter.The comments, which followed Tuesday’s bomb attacks at Brussels airport and on the city’s metro system, were later deleted but sparked a furious response from other users of Twitter.
I confronted Croydon and asked it to explain @MatthewDoyle31. Nobody had heard of him ever. A mealy mouthed reply. pic.twitter.com/wAJDWH7zv3I confronted Croydon and asked it to explain @MatthewDoyle31. Nobody had heard of him ever. A mealy mouthed reply. pic.twitter.com/wAJDWH7zv3
Following criticism by other users of Twitter, Doyle tweeted: “Who cares if I insulted some towelhead?”Following criticism by other users of Twitter, Doyle tweeted: “Who cares if I insulted some towelhead?”
Officers for the Metropolitan police in Croydon tweeted on Wednesday that a suspect had been arrested for inciting racial hatred.Officers for the Metropolitan police in Croydon tweeted on Wednesday that a suspect had been arrested for inciting racial hatred.
Suspect arrested for inciting racial hatred on twitter #ZDERTD #WeStandTogether #Croydon #Community @CroydonAd pic.twitter.com/BcjcKAPrFlSuspect arrested for inciting racial hatred on twitter #ZDERTD #WeStandTogether #Croydon #Community @CroydonAd pic.twitter.com/BcjcKAPrFl
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.03am GMTat 12.03am GMT
11.20pm GMT11.20pm GMT
23:2023:20
A picture which is said to show a page from the passport of Ibrahim el-Bakraoui when he was arrested in Turkey has been published by the Daily Sabah, an English language newspaper in Turkey.A picture which is said to show a page from the passport of Ibrahim el-Bakraoui when he was arrested in Turkey has been published by the Daily Sabah, an English language newspaper in Turkey.
As reported earlier, the Belgian federal prosecutor, Frédéric van Leeuw, confirmed media reports that Bakraoui detonated one of two devices that exploded at Zaventem airport, killing himself and 11 others and injuring more than 90.As reported earlier, the Belgian federal prosecutor, Frédéric van Leeuw, confirmed media reports that Bakraoui detonated one of two devices that exploded at Zaventem airport, killing himself and 11 others and injuring more than 90.
The Guardian’s Kareem Shaheen reported earlier on emerging details in relation to Bakraoui’s detention and deportation from Turkey.The Guardian’s Kareem Shaheen reported earlier on emerging details in relation to Bakraoui’s detention and deportation from Turkey.
The Daily Sabah says reports that the 29-year-old entered Turkey on June 11 last year and was detained by Turkish authorities three days later.The Daily Sabah says reports that the 29-year-old entered Turkey on June 11 last year and was detained by Turkish authorities three days later.
Turkish police apprehended El Bakraoui during a routine police check to catch possible terror suspects in Turkey’s Gaziantep province and deported him from Istanbul Atatürk Airport.Turkish police apprehended El Bakraoui during a routine police check to catch possible terror suspects in Turkey’s Gaziantep province and deported him from Istanbul Atatürk Airport.
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.21pm GMTat 11.21pm GMT
10.24pm GMT10.24pm GMT
22:2422:24
Belgians, and others, are continuing to remember the dead and show solidarity with those hurt in the attacks. Here’s the scene in the Place de la Bourse, Brussels, via the BBC’s Anna Holligan:Belgians, and others, are continuing to remember the dead and show solidarity with those hurt in the attacks. Here’s the scene in the Place de la Bourse, Brussels, via the BBC’s Anna Holligan:
Tonight in heart of the city #Brussels @BBCRadio4 #BrusselsAttacks pic.twitter.com/uGLgTs94hyTonight in heart of the city #Brussels @BBCRadio4 #BrusselsAttacks pic.twitter.com/uGLgTs94hy
.. the black, yellow and red of Belgium’s flag is meanwhile being projected on landmarks around the world. Here’s the London Eye:.. the black, yellow and red of Belgium’s flag is meanwhile being projected on landmarks around the world. Here’s the London Eye:
#London pays tribute #belgium #brussels #trafalgarsquare #londoneye #southbank #flag #solidarity pic.twitter.com/KujL3rz798#London pays tribute #belgium #brussels #trafalgarsquare #londoneye #southbank #flag #solidarity pic.twitter.com/KujL3rz798
10.10pm GMT10.10pm GMT
22:1022:10
Angelique ChrisafisAngelique Chrisafis
Angelique Chrisafis, the Guardian’s Paris correspondent, has been in Schaerbeek, the area of north-east Brussels from where the three men involved in the attack on Brussels airport departed on Tuesday.Angelique Chrisafis, the Guardian’s Paris correspondent, has been in Schaerbeek, the area of north-east Brussels from where the three men involved in the attack on Brussels airport departed on Tuesday.
She describes the top-floor fat where they had been staying:She describes the top-floor fat where they had been staying:
The letterboxes were all stuffed to overflowing with junk mail and supermarket coupon catalogues. In the small entrance hallway, a bare bulb poked from a broken light, there was paint dotted across the old mosaic-tiled floor and signs of decorating work going on the first floor.The letterboxes were all stuffed to overflowing with junk mail and supermarket coupon catalogues. In the small entrance hallway, a bare bulb poked from a broken light, there was paint dotted across the old mosaic-tiled floor and signs of decorating work going on the first floor.
“I spoke to them once, there were two brothers,” said a local painter and decorator of the mysterious group of men who had spent time on the fifth floor. “I saw one of them in the lift only once – he had a beard – but he never spoke, and the others I never saw at all,” said Jairo Valderana, a Colombian who lived next door to them on the fifth floor, his front-door metres away from the men’s hideout.“I spoke to them once, there were two brothers,” said a local painter and decorator of the mysterious group of men who had spent time on the fifth floor. “I saw one of them in the lift only once – he had a beard – but he never spoke, and the others I never saw at all,” said Jairo Valderana, a Colombian who lived next door to them on the fifth floor, his front-door metres away from the men’s hideout.
Valderana, who arrived in Brussels with his wife and daughters, aged 14 and 18, a month ago said he had never heard anything strange from the flat until police arrived on Tuesday night shouting at all the neighbours to put their hands up.Valderana, who arrived in Brussels with his wife and daughters, aged 14 and 18, a month ago said he had never heard anything strange from the flat until police arrived on Tuesday night shouting at all the neighbours to put their hands up.
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.35pm GMTat 10.35pm GMT
9.42pm GMT9.42pm GMT
21:4221:42
David Cameron has suggested Christian leaders should help their “brothers and sisters who are Muslim” fight against extremism in the wake of the Brussels terror attack.David Cameron has suggested Christian leaders should help their “brothers and sisters who are Muslim” fight against extremism in the wake of the Brussels terror attack.
Speaking at an Easter reception at 10 Downing Street, his official residence, Cameron referred to the “dark and difficult world we’re currently living in” and said he wanted to “fortify” people to defeat extremism.Speaking at an Easter reception at 10 Downing Street, his official residence, Cameron referred to the “dark and difficult world we’re currently living in” and said he wanted to “fortify” people to defeat extremism.
“This is the great fight that we have to join,” Cameron said in the comments first reported by Bloomberg.“This is the great fight that we have to join,” Cameron said in the comments first reported by Bloomberg.
Our brothers and sisters who are Muslims, they want our assistance. We should be reaching out and wanting to help them battle against extremism.Our brothers and sisters who are Muslims, they want our assistance. We should be reaching out and wanting to help them battle against extremism.
We have to build stronger and more resilient communities. We have to make sure that people who are drifting into an extremist mindset are yanked back.We have to build stronger and more resilient communities. We have to make sure that people who are drifting into an extremist mindset are yanked back.
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.07pm GMTat 10.07pm GMT
9.18pm GMT9.18pm GMT
21:1821:18
Nicolas Hénin, the French journalist who was kept as hostage by Isis for 10 months, writes in a just-published piece for the Guardian that those who held him will draw as much satisfaction from the “banal images” of the three airport attackers as other images associated with the group, such as the black flags and orange suits prisoners are made to wear.Nicolas Hénin, the French journalist who was kept as hostage by Isis for 10 months, writes in a just-published piece for the Guardian that those who held him will draw as much satisfaction from the “banal images” of the three airport attackers as other images associated with the group, such as the black flags and orange suits prisoners are made to wear.
He writes that the picture sends a message:He writes that the picture sends a message:
…. that the enemy looks ordinary and walks among you. It is one of the goals of Isis to sow division and make us afraid of one another. That was one of the things I learned during my captivity.…. that the enemy looks ordinary and walks among you. It is one of the goals of Isis to sow division and make us afraid of one another. That was one of the things I learned during my captivity.
He adds that how Europe reacts is now absolutely crucial, “but the omens are not good”:He adds that how Europe reacts is now absolutely crucial, “but the omens are not good”:
Already Manuel Valls, the French prime minister, and François Hollande, the president, have fallen into the trap of referring to this challenge as a “war”. That is the last thing they should be saying. I can tell them from my experience that this is the sort of approach Isis wants.Already Manuel Valls, the French prime minister, and François Hollande, the president, have fallen into the trap of referring to this challenge as a “war”. That is the last thing they should be saying. I can tell them from my experience that this is the sort of approach Isis wants.
The terrorists don’t just want to talk about a war, they hope to provoke, within Europe itself, a civil war. But this is not a war, and we must not see it as such.The terrorists don’t just want to talk about a war, they hope to provoke, within Europe itself, a civil war. But this is not a war, and we must not see it as such.
I prefer to call it large-scale political violence. And the important thing about that approach is that we have seen large-scale political violence before in our history. If we adopt a militaristic, warlike vocabulary, there will be no way back from that. We will only strengthen our enemies.I prefer to call it large-scale political violence. And the important thing about that approach is that we have seen large-scale political violence before in our history. If we adopt a militaristic, warlike vocabulary, there will be no way back from that. We will only strengthen our enemies.
You can read the pieces in full here:You can read the pieces in full here:
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.11pm GMTat 10.11pm GMT
9.05pm GMT9.05pm GMT
21:0521:05
An American couple who were feared to have been among those caught up in the blasts in Brussels are alive, according to Janet Shamlian of NBC News.An American couple who were feared to have been among those caught up in the blasts in Brussels are alive, according to Janet Shamlian of NBC News.
BREAKING: Tennessee couple missing in Brussels terror attack found alive! Injuries unknown pic.twitter.com/v6XDTfhC7mBREAKING: Tennessee couple missing in Brussels terror attack found alive! Injuries unknown pic.twitter.com/v6XDTfhC7m
9.00pm GMT9.00pm GMT
21:0021:00
Calls are mounting to urgently redress a “security deficit” at the heart of the European Union by crafting more of a collective response to terror attacks, according to the Financial Times.Calls are mounting to urgently redress a “security deficit” at the heart of the European Union by crafting more of a collective response to terror attacks, according to the Financial Times.
It quotes Antonio Tajani, an Italian centre-right MEP who is responsible for internal security at the European Parliament, as saying:It quotes Antonio Tajani, an Italian centre-right MEP who is responsible for internal security at the European Parliament, as saying:
We need to create a sort of Europol for intelligence or we risk being hit again. It’s not enough to say that we are against terrorism if the Italians and the Germans don’t talk to each other, if the French and Belgians don’t talk to each otherWe need to create a sort of Europol for intelligence or we risk being hit again. It’s not enough to say that we are against terrorism if the Italians and the Germans don’t talk to each other, if the French and Belgians don’t talk to each other
Aside from intelligence sharing, some in Europe’s security apparatus are said to believe that the real issue is a patchiness when it comes to security capabilities.Aside from intelligence sharing, some in Europe’s security apparatus are said to believe that the real issue is a patchiness when it comes to security capabilities.
While Britain and France have significant resources, followed perhaps by Germany, Belgium’s own state security service is said to be severely stretched.While Britain and France have significant resources, followed perhaps by Germany, Belgium’s own state security service is said to be severely stretched.
This is Ben Quinn picking up the blog now from Raya Jalabi.This is Ben Quinn picking up the blog now from Raya Jalabi.
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.12pm GMTat 10.12pm GMT
8.41pm GMT8.41pm GMT
20:4120:41
Latest summaryLatest summary
Raya JalabiRaya Jalabi
Here’s what we know so far:Here’s what we know so far:
The attackersThe attackers
Paris correspondent Angelique Chrisafis spoke to neighbors in Schaerbeek, for more on the four Brussels attackers. Read the full report here.Paris correspondent Angelique Chrisafis spoke to neighbors in Schaerbeek, for more on the four Brussels attackers. Read the full report here.
The victimsThe victims
Read the full report on victims here.Read the full report on victims here.
The investigationThe investigation
Belgium is now facing awkward questions over the bombers’ links to Paris terror cell, writes Jon Henley. (Read the full report here).Belgium is now facing awkward questions over the bombers’ links to Paris terror cell, writes Jon Henley. (Read the full report here).
The Global ResponseThe Global Response
The practicalitiesThe practicalities
That’s it from New York, handing over the blog to Ben Quinn in London.That’s it from New York, handing over the blog to Ben Quinn in London.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.10pm GMTat 9.10pm GMT
8.25pm GMT8.25pm GMT
20:2520:25
Ben QuinnBen Quinn
The fallout from the attacks on Brussels is continuing to have an impact on the UK’s debate ahead of the referendum on membership of the European Union.The fallout from the attacks on Brussels is continuing to have an impact on the UK’s debate ahead of the referendum on membership of the European Union.
The UK’s defence secretary, Michael Fallon, has said in the last hour that he rejects the argument from a former head of MI6 from 1999 to 2004, Sir Richard Dearlove, who claimed that said “the cost to Britain would be low”, from a security perspective, if it were to leave the EU.The UK’s defence secretary, Michael Fallon, has said in the last hour that he rejects the argument from a former head of MI6 from 1999 to 2004, Sir Richard Dearlove, who claimed that said “the cost to Britain would be low”, from a security perspective, if it were to leave the EU.
“What is very clear to me is that we should not be leaving intelligence sharing partnerships,” Fallon said in an interview with Channel 4 News.“What is very clear to me is that we should not be leaving intelligence sharing partnerships,” Fallon said in an interview with Channel 4 News.
“That is exactly not the thing to do. We should be coming to the aid of our allies and friends rather than walking out on them.”“That is exactly not the thing to do. We should be coming to the aid of our allies and friends rather than walking out on them.”
“This is a European problem and what we certainly can’t do, long beore the referendum is to leave an arrangement which allows is to pool intelligence and information with allies that are just 20 miles away across the channel.”“This is a European problem and what we certainly can’t do, long beore the referendum is to leave an arrangement which allows is to pool intelligence and information with allies that are just 20 miles away across the channel.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 8.27pm GMTat 8.27pm GMT